Anzio Williams of NBCUniversal Local to give keynote address at IRE’s first DBEI Symposium

Anzio Williams, a broadcasting veteran who now oversees diversity efforts for NBCUniversal Local, will deliver the keynote address of IRE’s first symposium focused on equity in newsrooms and coverage.

Williams was named Senior Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for the division of NBCUniversal that includes 43 NBC/Telemundo owned stations, six regional sports networks and multicast networks COZI TV, TeleXitos and new network NBCLX, in August 2020. He previously was Vice President of News for NBCUniversal’s Philadelphia stations.

“We are delighted to have a speaker of Mr. Williams’ caliber at our first event focused on equity and inclusion,”  said IRE Executive Director Diana Fuentes. “His enthusiasm and thought-provoking insights are both challenging and inspiring. His talk is sure to be a highlight of the symposium. You won’t want to miss it!”

The DBEI Symposium on diversity, belonging, equity and inclusion, will be held online Oct. 21-22. The symposium will focus on helping journalists with newsroom diversity issues and with investigating inequality in their communities, from education and health care to housing and climate change. More information, including registration and the full schedule, can be found on IRE’s website.

Before joining NBCUniversal, Williams spent 12 years with Hearst Television, including at WDSU in New Orleans where he spearheaded the station’s coverage of Hurricane Katrina, the storm’s aftermath and multi-year recovery efforts. Before this, he worked as Assistant News Director at NBC affiliate stations in Orlando, Florida and Charlotte, North Carolina. He launched his career in broadcast as a Sports and News Producer for WFMY in Greensboro, North Carolina. 

A recipient of nine Emmy Awards for Outstanding Achievement, Best Newscast, Breaking News and Continuing Coverage, he was a member of news teams honored with six Edward R. Murrow and two George Foster Peabody Awards. Williams will give the address on Oct. 21 at 4:30 p.m. ET.